GRANBY – Thanks to the actions of some observant neighborhood children, a basement fire at 8 Ken Lane was quickly discovered.

When police arrived at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday night, they found neighbors had already begun fighting the fire with fire extinguishers. Firefighters then took over and put the fire out. South Hadley’s Fire District 2 also assisted with the call.

The home’s owners, James and Susan O’Connell, were not home at the time. As a result of the fire, they had to stay with relatives that night, police said.

Police said neighborhood children heard the smoke alarm going off and saw smoke coming out of the back of the residence. The children told adults, who called 911, police said.

The state fire marshal’s office also is investigating. Officials believe the fire began on the outside of the residence; the cause is still under investigation. Police said the fire was contained to the basement and to an area at the rear of the house, which covered an estimated 150 square feet. A damage estimate was unavailable.

“The quick actions of the children who alerted adults and public safety, as well as the efforts of the adults who began fighting the fire, is believed to have saved the residence from more significant damage,” according to a press release from Granby Police Lt. Alan Wishart.